Hayes Carll headlines Rootsfest

For five years, Rootsfest has brought acts to Great Falls that organizers think Montana, and in particular Great Falls, should have a chance to see.

“They’ve always been playing Bozeman or Missoula, and they always would skip Great Falls, so that’s why Rootboy started,” said Bruce Forde of Rootboy Productions.

This year’s headliner is Hayes Carll, a Texas native whose music can be difficult to pinpoint. He’s country, to a point, but as Forde says, “he’s not the kind of country artist you’d hear on AM radio.” But he throws in some Americana, mixes it up, and gets a product that has won him accolades from the Americana Music Association, The Village Voice and Rolling Stone and Spin magazines.

“He’s going to be one of the best that we’ve had,” Forde said of Tuesday’s concert.

Travis Linville, an Oklahoman who “plays a mean slide guitar,” will open up for Carll.

“He’s kind of a young, up-and-coming guy,” Forde said of Linville.

Forde said the goal for choosing an opening act is to get someone who complements the headliner. Many artists who play Rootsfest are not Montanans, but that isn’t necessarily by design.

“We’re not against local musicians, but everybody has the opportunity to see those people all the time, and want to bring someone in who’s different,” he said.

In addition to the music, food will be provided by Williams and Roberts Fine BBQ. Domestic beers and microbrews will be sold by the Front Brewing Co. and Eagle Beverage. Wines from Wines by Wednesday will be available from the Front as well.

Tickets are $20 in advance, up until noon the day of the show. At the gate, they are $25. Tickets are available online or at Forde Nursery and Wines by Wednesday.

Gates open at 6 p.m. on Tuesday. Linville takes the stage at 7 p.m. and Carll at 8 p.m. Bring a lawnchair.

The concert originally was scheduled to be at Machinery Row, but its location moved to Forde Nursery, 2025 2nd Ave. N.W. in Great Falls.